ANALYSIS OF TOBACCO. " 2^7 , 



it has acquired such a consistence, as will not allow the sa- 

 line particles to unite, it is to be treated with alcohol, to 

 dissolve the free malic and acetic acids, the acrid matter, 

 and the sal ammoniac ; and to separate the animal matter, 

 which the heat could not coagulate on account of the acids, 

 that held it in solution. 



The alcohol, containing in solutions the matter just men- 

 tioned, is to be evaporated in a retort. It will carry over 

 nothing with it. The liquor remaining in the retort is to 

 1)^ Tconcentrated anew, and treated a second time with high- 

 ly dephlegmated alcohol, to precipitate some portion of ani- 

 mal. matter, that was dissolved in the former operation by 

 means of a little water. 



" This second portion of alcohol being evaporated in its 

 ttirn, what remains is to be dissolved in water ; the malic 

 and acetic acids are to be saturated accurately with potash ; 

 and the whole is to be distilled to dryness, taking care that 

 it does not burn. The water obtained, though clear and ' 



tolourless, is insnpportably acrid ; and what is left in there- 

 'tort still retains the same property: but on redissolving it 

 several times in water, and distilling it, the operator will at 

 length deprive it almost wholly of its a,crid taste, and obtain , 

 the principle that produces it dissolved in distilled water. 



We have not yet satisfactorily ascertp.ined the nature of ^fatter that 

 the matter that accbm panics it, and which dissolves with it .^'^^^^'"P^"^*^ 

 in the alcohol. This matter has a yellowish red colour; and 

 •iwells up and is converted into a coal in the fire. 

 ^'■- If, after this matter has been div«fsted as far as possible of 

 "the acrid principle, the residuum be urged with a stronger 

 heat, an oil will be obtained, and muriate of ammonia will 

 sublime. It likewise -. ieids ammonia from the decomposi- 

 tion of the muriate by the potash of themaiate and acetate, 

 which the heat decomposesi 



From the experiments here related it follows, that the 



juice of hicotiana latifolia contains 



' I, A large quantity of animal matter of an albuminous Contents of 



tobacco juice. 

 nature : 



2, Malate of lime with excess of acid : 



3, Acetic acid : 



4, Nitrate and muriate of potash in notable quantity : 



5, A 



